Hi craftylady,
I had my right knee replacement done in January 2011 aged 53. I found that my bloods were more controlled when I was in hospital and I put it down to a few things.
- I am shocking about remembering to drink as I never get thirsty. In hospital I made myself drink lots and it was always in front of me so that helped I think.
- Although I was in post-op discomfort the never-ending pain from my knee was over and I know that my life could get better. I knew I would be able to start walking and doing more. I think that reduced the constant exhaustion and stress that I felt pre-op which may have helped.
- I just was not hungry in hospital so I didn't eat as much as I would have done at home (therin lay a lesson!
). I also rejected the white bread, white rice, white pasta options before I even knew about low-carbs from here. What they provided for me as a diabetic was not suitable - when will hospitals provide the decent, healthy food that they say we should eat?? :crazy:
Some bits of advice that I found invaluable:
- get hold of the high toilet seat that you strap onto your toilet at home. Makes bending to get up and down on the toilet so much easier :lol:
- they never tell you that the anaesthetic will leave you with a weepy day. I sobbed my eyes out and was really worried about everything until a kind nurse told me it was normal ( a little like baby blues for your knees)
- take in ear plugs if you can use them
- sort out whether the hospital is providing your crutches or if you have to get them yourself and use them (no disgrace and it actually makes others a little more considerate when you get out and about)
- take in your medication in the original boxes and make sure you are given the
right meds
at the time you are used to rather than fitting in with their meds routine. Pleasant but persistant! You might not need the painkillers they give you but discuss the tablets and stress about your asthma in case they are contra-indicated.
- pre-cook and freeze some suitable meals for when you get home. Put a couple of loaves of Bergen in the freezer or stack some Ryvita in the cupboard (if you eat them), tins of tuna etc. etc.
-lay in some reading and other things you like to do and can do while sitting around (sort out photo albums, contact lost friends).
- make sure you see a suitable physiotherapist and do ALL of the exercises you are given to the best of your ability and at least as many as the minimum you are given. If you can afford private physio do that for an extra few weeks.
- work hard on getting your movement (bending the knees) as good as possible. Although they regard 90 degrees as functional the more you can bend it the better off you will be in the long run!
- Get some
bio oil in for rubbing on the scars. I did it every day several times and it made a huge difference.
-I was told by my surgeon that I will think about it all the time for the first two months, every day for the next 6 months or so, every week for the next 6 months and then only occasionally after that. He was right.
I wish you good luck and I know that it will be worth it in the long run (
!
Please contact me if you have any other questions.
Sally
